Community Stories

The region of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, in southwestern Quebec, has a rich and diverse religious heritage that reflects the history and memory of its local communities. Today, the future of churches and the items they house is more uncertain than ever. Come and...

Imagine you were a landless young man without a chance of owning land, what could you do? Where would you go? In the late 1800’s many landless young men travelled west in search of gold and adventure.
This exhibit captures the pioneering spirit of the...

Philip Jackman’s life is the story of a pioneering spirit. From humble beginnings as a farm labourer to a pillar of the community, this Royal Engineer Sapper stayed in Canada after his service and made a noteworthy contribution to British Columbia’s...

Irvin “Bingo” Hauser ran away with the carnival at age 16 and never looked back. This exhibit tells the story of one of Canada's greatest showmen, who began his career as a lion tamer, and later started an exotic animal sideshow. By the 1960s, Bingo...

The “Paris Crew” of Saint John, New Brunswick, is known as Canada’s First World Champions. They won at the International Rowing Regatta in Paris in 1867 — only days after Confederation. These so-called underdogs beat out famed crews from Germany,...

Journey back to 1649 and relive the fascinating tale of Ste. Marie II — a story of tragedy, strength, and perseverance. Although this village was only occupied for one year, research has unearthed a rich story illuminating the early history of Indigenous...

Meet local hero and aviation legend Captain A. Roy Brown. As a highly skilled combat pilot during the First World War, he earned many distinctions, including credit for shooting down Manfred von Richthofen, the “Red Baron.” Throughout the 1930s,...

The roots of the Jewish community in Saint John, New Brunswick, date back to 1783. Explore significant chapters in this community’s rich history through compelling stories and photographs, from the late 18th century to the present day.

Over the centuries, eel fishing has remained in the shadows, but it is still practised in Quebec’s Côte-du-Sud region. Listen to stories told by eel fishermen, experts and consumers, and discover this one-of-a-kind fishery. Now a luxury, this mysterious...

Gothic arch huts are modest yet iconic structures that played a major role in the exploration of the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Discover the story of the design and construction of these shelters, and meet the people and organizations who brought...

Explore the history of women’s volunteer organizations through the Cradle Club of Women’s College Hospital. This exhibit tells the story of how a group of young society girls came together in the 1930s, with the mission of improving the quality of...

Over the years, fraternal organizations from the Lions Club to the Protective Order of the Elks have played in important role in the northern town of The Pas, Manitoba. This exhibition explores the community-building activities of these groups, and their...